Northern Arizona Audubon Society - Flagstaff Program

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) populations are declining throughout their North American range. Here in the Southern Rockies/Colorado Plateau Breeding Conservation Region (BCR), USGS Breeding Bird Surveys show a 64% in American Kestrels since 1966. The cause for declining population trends is unknown. In addition, the natural history of this spectacular falcon is undefined throughout our high desert unique ecosystem.

The International Raptor & Falconry Center (IRFC) and Northern Arizona Audubon Society (NAAS) has partnered with Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD) to help understand their decline in Northern Arizona. The nest box project will yield data on phenology (seasonal timing of nest initiation), occupancy (% of nest boxes occupied by kestrels), productivity (number of nestlings in the nest), and survival (number of nestlings fledged from the nest). IRFC officially joined in a Western Hemispheric Nest Box Monitoring Program sponsored by the American Kestrel Partnership (AKP). In 2017, four nest boxes were installed within NAAS Sanctuaries - two boxes at Kachina Wetlands, a third at Bubbling Ponds and fourth at Picture Canyon. In 2018, more nest boxes are being installed throughout Northern Arizona including one at Red Rock State Park in Sedona and Oak Creek School in Cornville. Data will be collected for each nest box monitored by IRFC throughout the nesting season and given to AZGFD for analysis.

The March program will be a presentation focusing on the American Kestrel Nest Box Partnership and conservation efforts in Northern Arizona. In addition, this program will outline partnership's goals as well as how you can become a Citizen Scientist contributing valuable data that will contribute to the understanding of Northern Arizona's tiniest falcon!

The speaker will be Michele Losee, Executive Director of the International Raptor and Falconry Center and NAAS board member. Michele is a raptor ecologist and master falconer with a real passion for educating the public about her favorite birds; raptors.

Finley, the American Kestrel, will be conducting a Q&A session directly following the formal presentation. Be sure to come with some really great questions.

Kestrel Nest Box kits will be available to purchase at the program for $25.